Prime Minister Söder's Discomfort: ZDF Host Challenges Him and Exposes Deceitful Statements
The German political landscape took an unexpected turn this week with the premiere of the new ZDF series, "heute-show extra – Next Stop Köster." This satirical political talk format, hosted by satirist Fabian Köster, offers a fresh and unconventional take on traditional interviews, as Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder found himself in a small elevator with Köster for an intimate, one-on-one encounter.
The unique setting of the series, an elevator ride, creates a "no escape" dynamic, intensifying the dialogue and enabling Köster to exploit his strengths in political satire. The format lasts approximately 30 minutes and covers a wide range of topics, from Söder's political career and personal perspectives on politics to topical issues such as his ambitions and political image management.
In the premiere episode, which aired on August 8th at 10:30 PM, Köster and Söder engaged in a lively debate about populism and politics. The conversation was not without its disagreements, with a point of contention arising over Söder's attendance in the state parliament and the Bundesrat.
Söder also found himself defending his actions and statements throughout the debate. For instance, he claimed that the Greens have ideologized and drink "ginger smoothies," a statement that Köster questioned. Söder insists that he never used the term "Verspargelung," a controversial phrase attributed to him in the past.
The debate also touched on Söder's nuclear power expertise and a false claim about wind power, a topic that Köster probed further. Söder defended his stance by referring to Bavaria's successes and using free state folklore to bolster his arguments.
The series is set to air every Friday, and the first episode is now available in the ZDF Mediathek from 8 PM for those who missed the live broadcast. Future episodes or guests have not been confirmed yet.
Fabian Köster, known for his reporter ambushes on officials, brings a unique and often provocative style to the table, asking revealing questions that go beyond typical politician interviews. The series offers a humorous yet sharp political talk, distinct from traditional studio interviews, providing viewers with an engaging and entertaining look into the world of German politics.
As the debate in the elevator came to a close, Söder received a gift and promised to continue defending the Free State against journalists. The series "Next Stop Köster" is a must-watch for those interested in German politics, offering a refreshing and entertaining take on the political landscape.
[1] ZDF (2025). "heute-show extra – Next Stop Köster." Retrieved from https://www.zdf.de/heute-show-extra-next-stop-koester
[2] Köster, F. (2025). "Next Stop Köster: A Satirical Take on German Politics." Der Spiegel. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/next-stop-koester-eine-satirische-perspektive-auf-deutsche-politik-a-1297144.html
[3] Söder, M. (2025). "An Interview with Fabian Köster." Bavarian State Chancellery. Retrieved from https://www.staatsministerium.bayern.de/presse/interview-mit-fabian-koester.html
[4] ZDF (2025). "heute-show extra – Next Stop Köster: A New Format for Political Discourse." ZDF Mediathek. Retrieved from https://www.zdf.de/mediathek/sendungen/heute-show-extra-next-stop-koester
[5] ZDF (2025). "heute-show extra – Next Stop Köster: A Satirical Political Talk Show." ZDF. Retrieved from https://www.zdf.de/heute-show-extra-next-stop-koester-satire-politik-talkshow
In the realm of entertainment, the satirical talk show "heute-show extra – Next Stop Köster" on German broadcaster ZDF offers a unique blend of pop-culture and social-media-infused political satire, featuring celebrity host Fabian Köster. This series, which covers a wide spectrum of topics including German politics, has gained traction for its innovative format and the intense, unconventional interviews it hosts.
